My horse is stamping, what could be the cause of that?
Stamping is the act of lifting the leg and forcefully stamping it on the ground. Stamping is a way to indicate irritation. Often it is a minor irritation like a fly. However, in some cases, you see and hear horses stamping multiple times an hour. When the irritation worsens, you often see the horse biting at the fetlock/socks. Stamping is not a form of communication for horses. This has been confirmed in a study with 44 Tinkers.
Health
Mites
6 May '22 • 3 min reading time
Cause 1 – mites
The most common cause of stamping in horses is mites. Mites mainly occur in winter in horses with feathers. The fetlock areas with socks are ideal for mites because it is warm and humid. Mites burrow small tunnels in the horse's skin and lay eggs there. The more mites and eggs, the longer the treatment takes. The treatment is not easy and requires a comprehensive approach, such as adjusting feed, a detox or nettle cure, herbs against mites, and most importantly; treating all horses in the herd. Mites are extremely contagious, and not all horses show symptoms of mites.
Cause 2 – Mud Fever and Scratches
Every horse lover has heard of or dealt with mud fever. Mud fever refers to sores and spots under the pastern. This is often a bacterial infection. The same applies to scratches, but in this case, the spots and flakes are above the pastern. These spots often cause itching, which can lead a horse to stomp or bite. There are various causes, but it is often a combination of a deficiency in vitamins and minerals, moisture, and the late discovery of the spots. In treatment, it is important to address the issue both externally and internally.
Cause 3 – Flies
Is your horse stamping in the summer? Then it is often flies, not mites, that are the cause. You can see this in all breeds and not just in the hardy breeds as with a mite infection. This form of stamping is often harmless and not as intense as with a mite infection. However, you can take extra measures such as placing fly traps, removing manure from the field/paddock daily, and spraying Effective Microorganisms on urination and manure spots. It is important to keep a close eye on your horse's legs and remove any bot eggs.
Cause 4 – Pain
Stamping with the hind legs can be a sign of pain. Horses can also become grumpy from pain. Often, stamping is accompanied by scraping, ears pinned back, yawning, or cribbing. Did you know that cribbing releases the substance endorphin? This not only has a relaxing effect but also acts as a pain reliever for horses.
Cause 5 – Sand in the socks
This is especially common in horses with socks during the wet period. There are no mites or mud fever involved. However, when horses have to walk through the mud, sand gets into the socks, which starts to itch once it dries. To get rid of the sand and this itching, horses will stomp. This can be relatively easily resolved by rinsing/scrubbing the legs so that the sand comes out of the socks.
Cause 6 – Overfed sober horse
Stamping is often seen in sober horse breeds, and especially in winter, many of these horses are overfed. Naturally, they are used to eating less during periods of scarcity. However, these horses are fed richer diets in winter here, while getting less exercise compared to nature. This can result in the body not being able to process all substances properly, leading to storage in areas that cause the least harm to the organs, such as the legs. You can't see it from the outside, but the lymphatic system becomes polluted. One of the consequences is that the horse starts stamping, as it irritates. These legs then become more attractive to mites, mud fever, and wounds. Do not feed silage and grain-based concentrates. Opt for a mineral balancer without grains and preferably low-quality, unpackaged hay.
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